Sunday, August 1, marks six months since the military coup in Myanmar. Its military leader has reiterated its readiness to hold multi-party parliamentary elections within two years and to work with an envoy appointed by the Association of South-East Asian Nations. Meanwhile, small sections of the population continue to protest against the military leadership.
It has been six months since the coup in MyanmarUģis Lībietis
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Since civil overthrow of Myanmar and exactly six months have passed since the military junta came to power. The seizure of power by the military junta was justified by allegations of massive fraud in the 2020 parliamentary elections, which were convincingly won by the National League for Democracy, led by former Democratic leader Auna San Suu Kyi.
Just a week ago, junta members announced that the election results were being canceled because more than 11 million irregularities had been discovered in the voting process. For this reason, it is planned to abolish the National League for Democracy. In addition, the party is regularly called extremists with the aim of inciting violence.
In six months, attempts by the authorities to quell public discontent have resulted in the deaths of more than 900 people,
but an even greater number were imprisoned.
Alongside political instability, Myanmar is also struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic, but many medics have left their jobs to protest the change of power.
Population of Myanmar during the spread of Covid-19, 2021.
Photo: AP
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The coup has not benefited the country’s economy either. The latest World Bank forecasts suggest that Myanmar’s economy could shrink by about 18% this year.
On Sunday, the country’s military leader, Min Aries Hlain, addressed the people, stating that he is still determined to restore democracy, but that the state of emergency will last until August 2023. This is much longer than the year promised immediately after the coup.
The promised multi-party parliamentary elections are then scheduled.
In his address, Min Aries Hlain also stated that Myanmar is ready to cooperate with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar. Negotiations on the appointment of such an envoy have been going on for several months, and the final decision is scheduled for ASEAN Foreign Ministers on Monday, August 2. One of the most realistic candidates for the post is Erivan Yusof, the second Foreign Minister of the ASEAN Presidency of Brunei, who has previously acknowledged that without such a special envoy, a solution to the situation in Myanmar will be extremely difficult.
A spokesman for the Myanmar junta’s opponents, the Government of National Unity, said any international efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people were to be welcomed, stressing that the envoy should focus on the interests of the people of Myanmar. ASEAN has already announced that assistance will soon be sent to the people of Myanmar, including to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, in several cities in Myanmar, including the commercial capital of Yangon, small groups of protesters, carrying posters expressing support for the force of the revolution and burning flares, continued to march to express dissatisfaction with the military junta’s leadership.
Myanmar protesters with slogan “We do not accept a military coup”
Photo: AFP
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Tens of thousands of civil servants and public sector workers were fired after the coup, but many continue to strike in support of the civil disobedience campaign.
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